Posted: 17.03.2007 at 10.20
In defense of those of us who make a living working at a university I will say that a university education IS necessary but not for the reasons you may think....
One caveat first before I go on. I can only speak to what I see happening in North America and Europe. In these countries standardized testing is beginning to take a greater hold over the primary and secondary education systems than simple course work. Instructors are now teaching to these tests, not teaching ordinary topics like history, literature, geography, etc.
Free of the restraints of a test based cirriculum, a student can FINALLY get an education at the university level. Yes, obviously they are taking courses that will grant them a piece of paper that will get them hired, but they can also take classes in subjects that interest them, and very well may lead them to their vocation.
And trust me...no one ever said you have to do the uni life in four years straight.
-- LJG